Husband-and-wife directing team specializing in exuberant lifestyle work, gains national representation for commercials and branded content.

CHICAGO

--(SPW)--

STORY has entered into an agreement with Chris and Kristen Barker, the multi-talented, husband and wife creative team known as The Barkers, to represent them for commercial advertising projects throughout the United States. The Chicago-based duo are creative auteurs whose work for Microsoft, Kraft, Head & Shoulders, Google, United Airlines, Hewlett Packard and others, includes commercials, branded content, commercial photography and original music. The pair has won wide praise for work centering on casual, youth-oriented lifestyle material, a style they term “Life Shared.”

STORY executive producer Mark Androw said that he was struck by the craftsmanship and originality of The Barkers’ work, and predicted that their ability to work in both live action and print will make them very attractive to advertising agencies. “Agencies are looking for creative partners who bring a lot to the table and The Barkers can do it all,” he says. “Their ability to connect with young creatives is also an obvious plus. We are very excited to introduce them to the national advertising market.

The Barkers first established themselves as commercial photographers in the fashion industry before expanding to commercials and branded content. Along the way, they developed a unique ability to capture lifestyle imagery centering on fun, adventure and individuality. Their work highlights the best of life's moments.

Recent projects include a web campaign for HP’s TwoSmiles greeting card service via Design Kitchen now Blast Radius. It is composed of informal portraits of people of varying ages and ethnicities. “The agency wanted to capture real people smiling in our studio,” Chris says. “We were stoked. What a perfect job! We love smiles.”

The pair directed another web series for Iams and Saatchi & Saatchi, New York, centering on people who have adopted rescued pets. “We are really inspired by the community and the characters we come across, and we like to share those conversations and stories with other people,” Kristen says

“It’s finding and paying attention to the moments people have and where they’re putting this blast of energy,” adds Chris, who also co-wrote the music for the campaign. “You become a part of something with them, so it’s doesn’t appear so staged—it’s very natural. Often a natural moment is a really happy one. You know it when you see it.”

STORY is represented on the East Coast by SuperPowers (646) 633-4578; in the Midwest by Dawn Ratcliffe (312) 491-9194, in the Southeast by Miller + Associates, (954) 563-6004; in the Southwest by Gossip!, (214) 288-2813 and on the West Coast by Sherry Howell, (213) 999-9879.

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